Train order delivery mechanism



y 1933- A. B. GODDARD TRAIN ORDER DELIVERY MECHANISM 2 sheets-she t -1 Filed May 12, 1931 Q7105 ,B goieza m2,

I @Wouwq May 16, 1933. A GODDARD 1,909,266

TRAIN ORDER DELIVERY MECHANISM Filed May 12, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 16, 1933 AMOS'B. GODDARD, SALIDA, COLORADO TRAIN ORDER DELIVERY MECHANISM Application filed. May 12,

The object of the invention is to provide a mechanism adapted for positioning at a point convenient for the delivery of train orders to a crew without the necessity for having to stop the train; to provide a mechanism adapted for holding a plurality of the conventional order carrying hoops so that they are successively presented for the most convenient grasping by train crews; to provide a device of this character which is bodily adjustable, so that when the most convenient position for the hoop has been ascertained, each succeeding hoop will be retained in this position; to provide a mechanism in which 1 the hoop carrying head is weight actuated to provide for the uniform movement of the head in positioning successive hoops; toprovide an indicator operable in conjunction with the head, to serve either as a direction indicator for trains or to indicate when the head operating mechanism has run down; and to provide a device of the character in dicated which is of simple construction and susceptible of cheap manufacture and installation.

With this object in View, the invention consists in a construction and combination of arts of which a preferred embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side invention.

Figure 2 is a detail vertical sectional view of the rotary head taken in a plane extending radially through the hoop carrying element.

Figure 3 is a plan view, partly of the drum housing.

Figure 4 isa sectional view of the structure elevational view of the in section,

of Figure 3 taken vertically in the plane of the axis of the drum.

The invention is designed to handle the conventional order carrying hoop 10 having a handle 11 which constitutes a shank when used with the present invention, whereby the hoop may be supported in a chuck 12, the rotary head 14 being provided with a plurality of these chucks spaced uniformly therearound so that the mouths of the chucks open on the periphery of the head. Each chuck 1931. Serial N0. 536,837.

on the outer edges of into engagement with th the jaws,

forcing them e enlarged end of the shank 11 when the latter is inserted in the chuck. The lower" or chuck is provided with 17 which is adapted to under jaw oneach an extension or lug be disposed in'the path of a stop 18 carried at the outer end of an arm 19 supported on the housing 20 which latter is carried at the upper end of a hollow column 21. With the hoop shank attached the lug 17 abuts the stop 18 and prevents rotary movement of hoop is withdrawn, thejaws so that the lug structing relation with the head but when the the spring 16 retracts is drawn out of 0bthe stop 18 andthe head is permitted to rotate until the next chuck carrying a hoop into contact with has its lug brought the stop. The normal position of the apparatus is such that that hoop whose-chuck jaw is in engagement with the stop is the In this way, the operation of the one withdrawn by a trainman. the removal of a hoop permits mechanism to conveniently locate the next succeeding hoop for removal by a member of the crew of a succeeding train.

The rotary head 14 is actuated by a weight 22 disposed within the hollow column 21- and carried at the end of a cable 23 which has its other end connected with the drum 24 so that it may be wound thereon and thus elevate the weight. on a shaft 25 and 26 which meshes with a underside of the head 14.-

The drum is mounted provided with a pinion ring gear 27 on the The drum 24, shaft 25 and gear 26 are enclosed in the housing 20 and the latter is provided with a web 28 upstanding from which is a post 29 on which the head having athrust bearing 14 is rotatably mounted, the post in the cap 30 of the head to support the weight of the latter and permit its free rotation The shaft 25 also carrles a pinion 31 meshing with a second pinion 32 with which is connected a small shaft 33. This shaft 33 carries wheel 35 mounted on t a worm 34 meshing with a wormhe vertical shaft 36 at the lower end of which is mounted an indicator or arrow 37. The shafts 33 and 36 are journalled in the housing 38 which encloses the worm and worm-wheel. The housing 38 is supported by a bracket 38 from vthe housing 20 and since the indicator 37 is operatively connected with the shaft 25 by reason of the construction just described, the rotation of said shaft 25 and consequent rotation of the rotary head 14 results in rotation of the indicator 37. The gear ratio be tween the shaft 36 and shaft 25 may be such that the indicator is rotated through 180 degrees for each quarter turn of the head 14, so as to indicate the direction of the trains to receive the various orders from the head, or this ratio may be'made so high that the rotation of the indicator through 180 degrees will mean the complete unwinding of the weight carrying cable, this signifying that the device is to be wound up which obviously is accomplished by rotating the head in the opposite direction from that in which it moves normally in delivering the order hoops.

The housing 20 is made bodily adjustable on a vertical axis to vary the position of the stop 18, so that the point of delivery of the hoops may be made most convenient for use. This adjustment is effected by means of a latch arm 40 pivotally secured to the head as at 41 and hanging normally in pendent position when it may be selectively engaged with any one of a series of notches 42 formed in a flange 43 carried by the column 21 Swinging the latch arm outwardly will per mit the rotation of the head 20 and the desired position having been obtained, securement in that position may be eifected by engaging the latch arm with the adjacent notch 42 The invention having been described, what is claimed as new and useful is:

1. A train order delivery mechanism comprising a rotary head, chucks carried thereby and provided each with a movable jaw having a lug, a stop, the chucks being adapted for the reception of the shanks of train order hoops means consisting of contractile springs encircling the chucks.

3. A train order delivery mechanism comprising a rotary head, chucks carried thereby and provided each wit-h a movable jaw having a lug, a stop, the chucks being adapted for the reception of the shanks of train order hoops which extend the jaws to dispose the lugs in obstructing relation with the stop, means to retract the jaws when the hoop shanks are withdrawn to withdraw the lugs from such obstructing relation, means for rotating the head, and means for adjusting the position of the stop.

4. A train order delivery mechanism comprising a rotary head, train order hoop receiving elements carried by the head, a housing, a column at the top of which the housing is mounted, the housing having a post rotatably supporting the head, a stop carried by the housing, means carried by the hoop receiving elements for engaging the stop when a'hoop is attached, and means for rotating the head, said means comprising a weight disposed in the column, a drum disposed in the housing and having a geared connection with the head, and a cable reeled on the drum and connected with the weight.

5. A train order delivery mechanism comprising a rotary head, train order hoop receiving elements carried by the head, a hous ing, a column at the top of which the housing is mounted, the housing having a post rotatably supporting the head, a stop carried by the housing, means carried by the hoop receiving elements for engaging the stop when a hoop is attached, and means for rotating the head, the column having a notched flange and the housing being angularly adjustable on the column and provided with a pendent pivotally mounted latch lever selectively engageable in the notches in said flange.

In testimony whereof he affixes his signature.

AMOS B. GODDARD.

which extends the jaws to dispose the lugs in obstructing relation with the'stop, means to retract the jaws when the hoop shanks are withdrawn to withdraw the lugs from such obstructing relation, and means for rotating the head. 7

2."A train order delivery mechanism comprising a rotary head, chucks carried thereby and provided each with a movable jaw havmg a lug, a stop, the chucks being adapted for the reception of the shanks of train order hoops which extend the jaws to dispose the lugs 1n obstructingrelation with the stop, means to retract the jaws when the hoo shanks are withdrawn to withdraw the lugs from such obstructing relation, and means for rotating'the head, the jaw retracting 

